Heat cramps are painful involuntary muscle cramps that can occur during and after exercise or work in a hot environment.

First Aid Management

• Remove the patient from the hot environment.

• Encourage the patient to drink a beverage containing salt.

• If ORS packets are not available, make an oral rehydration solution.

• Stretch the affected muscle and massage the area once the spasm has passed.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after exposure to high temperatures. This may also be a result of inadequate fluid intake or the insufficient replacement of fluids.

Signs and Symptoms

• Heavy sweating

• Paleness

• Muscle cramps

• Tiredness and weakness

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fainting

• Cool, moist skin

• Fast, weak pulse rate

First Aid Management

• Remove the patient from the hot environment. Fan the body, place ice bags, or spray water on the skin.

• Start oral rehydration with a beverage containing salt, or make them drink an Oral Rehydration Solution. (ORS)

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can contribute to failure of the body’s temperature control.

Signs and Symptoms

• Strange behavior, headaches, dizziness, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, and coma.

• High body temperature.

• Absence of sweating.

• Red, hot, dry and flushed skin.

• Rapid pulse and difficulty breathing.

• Nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness.

First Aid Management

• Call or have someone call the local emergency number.

• Move the person into a cool place, a shaded area, or an air-conditioned room.

• Cool the patient immediately by immersing him/her in water.

• If water immersion is not possible or is delayed, the following actions can be performed: Douse the patient with copious amounts of cold water, spray the patient with water, fan the patient, or cover the patient with ice towels or surround the patient with ice bags.

• Respond to any life-threatening conditions that may come about.

Hypothermia is the general cooling of the entire body. In hypothermia, body temperature drops below 35º C.

Signs and Symptoms

• Shivering (may be absent in later stages of hypothermia)

• Numbness

• Glassy stare or a blank expression

• Apathy or decreasing level of consciousness

• Weakness

• Impaired judgment.

First Aid Management

• Gently move the person to a warm place.

• Care for any life-threatening conditions.

• Call the local emergency number.

• Remove any wet clothing and dry the person.

• Warm the person by wrapping him/her in blankets or by replacing the person’s clothes with dry clothing (passive re-warming)

• If available, apply heat pads or other heat sources to the body.

• Do not warm the person too quickly, such as by immersing him or her in warm water. Rapid warming may cause dangerous heart rhythms.

• If the person is alert, give warm liquids that do not contain alcohol or caffeine.